Target sells same-sex marriage cards despite anti-gay past

A US store which was once accused of opposing gay marriage has begun selling greetings cards for same-sex newlyweds.

Cards with messages such as ‘Mr and Mr’ and ‘Two very special women’ will be available to buy in Target stores nationwide and follows the retail giant’s decision to sell Gay Pride month T-shirts.

However, the Minnesota company’s latest move in support of gay rights comes just one week after it refused to sell openly gay R&B star Frank Ocean’s song Channel Orange which calls on more hip-hop stars to speak out against homophobia.

Target also sparked outrage in 2010 when it donated $150,000 to political group MN Forward, which backed anti-gay marriage Republican Tom Emmer, prompting Lady Gaga to pull a deal with the company to sell an exclusive Born This Way album.

Despite its controversial past, the company insists it supports diversity and is a major sponsor for pride in Minneapolis, as well as scoring high on the Human Rights Campaign’s corporate equality index, which rates businesses on workplace policies for LGBT employees.